[680] Bhikkhus, if those bhikkhus are not able to settle that legal issue (adhikaraṇa) by means of a committee (ubbāhikā), then, bhikkhus, those bhikkhus should hand over that legal issue to the Saṅgha, saying: "Venerable sirs, we are not able to settle this legal issue by means of a committee; let the Saṅgha itself settle this legal issue."
Bhikkhus, I allow a legal issue of this kind to be settled by majority decision (yebhuyyasikā). A bhikkhu possessed of five qualities should be agreed upon as distributor of voting tickets (salākagāhāpaka): one who would not follow a wrong course through desire, would not follow a wrong course through hatred, would not follow a wrong course through delusion, would not follow a wrong course through fear, and who would know what has been taken and what has not been taken. … "The bhikkhu named so-and-so has been agreed upon by the Saṅgha as distributor of voting tickets. It is pleasing to the Saṅgha; therefore it is silent. Thus do I hold it."
That bhikkhu, the distributor of voting tickets, should have the voting tickets taken. In whatever way the greater number of bhikkhus who speak in accordance with Dhamma declare, in that way that legal issue should be settled. This, bhikkhus, is called a legal issue that has been settled. Settled by what? By settlement in the presence (sammukhāvinaya) and by majority decision. And what is there in the settlement in the presence? Presence of the Saṅgha, presence of the Dhamma, presence of the Vinaya, presence of the persons.
And what therein is presence of the Saṅgha? As many bhikkhus as are entitled to take part in the formal act have come; the consent of those entitled to give consent has been conveyed; those who are present do not protest — this therein is presence of the Saṅgha.
And what therein is presence of the Dhamma, presence of the Vinaya? By whatever Dhamma, by whatever Vinaya, by whatever instruction of the Teacher that legal issue is settled — this therein is presence of the Dhamma, presence of the Vinaya.
And what therein is presence of the persons? The one who disputes and the one with whom he disputes — both opponents in the matter are present face to face — this therein is presence of the persons.
And what therein pertains to the majority decision? Whatever is the carrying out of the formal act by majority decision — the doing, the undertaking, the acceptance, the consenting, the non-protesting — this therein pertains to the majority decision.
Bhikkhus, if, when a legal issue has been settled thus, the doer reopens it, the reopening is a pācittiya offense; if one who gave his consent criticizes it, the criticizing is a pācittiya offense.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.